Nancy Drew Diaries

The new Nancy Drew series from Simon & Schuster, Nancy Drew Diaries, debuted February 2013 with volumes 1 and 2 and then two more to follow the rest of the year and around 3 more each year thereafter. This series harkens back to the Nancy Drew books of the past where Nancy and her friends will rely more on their wits and their brains (much like classic Nancy Drew) to solve mysteries instead of relying so much on technology like they did in the Girl Detective series. There is also an illustrator for the series, Emily McGuire. There are also going to be hardcover versions with dust jackets in addition to the regular paperback versions. And the stories will be a bit longer as well. This series targets the 8 to 12 age group.

From Simon & Schuster:

Striking illustrative covers featuring Nancy in action and suspense-filled stories will attract old and new fans alike, and make for an exciting, page-turning mystery series.

Nancy continues to be a positive role model for readers: intelligent and perceptive, loyal and persevering.

Nancy and company return to their mystery-solving roots: resourceful, perceptive, deductive, they rely on their wits first and then use technology to assist them. Readers will enjoy solving the hands-on mysteries with Nancy, Bess and George.

Nancy Drew is a brand that's been on readers' shelves for more than 80 years, popular with both young and older fans.

Nancy Drew first started in 1930 and is still in print today.

TITLES:

1, Curse of the Artic Star (Feb. 2013)

2, Stranger on a Train (Feb. 2013)

3, Mystery of the Midnight Rider (May 2013)

4, Once Upon a Crime (Sept. 2013)

5, Sabotage at Willow Woods (Jan. 2014)

6, Secret at Mystic Lake (May 2014)

7, The Phantom of Nantucket (Sept 2014)

8, The Magician's Secret (January 2015)

9, The Clue at Black Creek Farm (May 2015)

A box set of the first four will be out November 2013.

THE MYSTERIES:

The Curse of the Arctic Star:

Nancy, Bess, and George are cruising dangerous waters on a tour of Alaska. Becca Wright, an old friend of Nancy’s, is the Assistant Cruise Director of the Arctic Star, a posh new ship. But Becca needs Nancy’s help when strange things keep happening aboard the opulent ocean liner: The swimming pool becomes a floating grave; a famous passenger is threatened; and even the seemingly innocent mini-golf course becomes a perilous playground. With the majestic and mysterious Alaskan scenery as a backdrop, Nancy and company have to find out who’s trying to sabotage the maiden voyage and why.

Strangers on a Train

Nancy’s Alaskan adventure continues as she, Bess, and George disembark the mystery-plagued Arctic Star cruise ship and explore the grand sites of the forty-ninth state: Skagway; the Yukon territory, and Denali National Park. It’s spectacular scenery, but things start to go wrong almost immediately, leading Nancy to believe that whoever was behind the unsolved mayhem aboard the ship has followed them onto dry land. The girl detectives had better watch their steps—they’re on uncharted and unknown territory!

Mystery of the Midnight Rider

At the prestigious-and competitive-River Heights Horse Show, the prizes, which range from money to possible placement on the Olympic Team, are so highly coveted that anyone from the riders to the owners will do anything to win...even drug the horses! Who's up to no good? Nancy, Bess and George are on the case!

Once Upon a Crime

A rash of crimes in a neighboring town -- a blazing fire at a bookstore, a boat that sinks in the harbor, and a valuable dog's dognapping -- are eerily similar to the plots from famous mystery writer Lacey O'Brien's popular books – coincidence or not? Who's behind the crimes: Lacey looking for publicity? One of Lacey's super fans? Or maybe it's Paige Samuels, owner of the bookstore. Nancy, Bess and George are deep into a dangerous new mystery.

Sabotage at Willow Woods

Who knew a new sports field could cause so much drama? That’s what Nancy, Bess, and George are investigating. Ever since George’s cousin Carrie Kim announced her candidacy for city council, along with her platform of building a new football field and a state-of-the-art sports complex, someone has been trying to sabotage the campaign!

Nancy has to go undercover as a member of the Green Club when she suspects they may be behind all of the mischief. When Carrie starts getting threatening notes and even some more sinister warnings, Nancy knows she needs to crack the case before someone gets hurt!

Secret at Mystic Lake

To celebrate her birthday, George is taking Nancy and Bess on a three-day bike tour around the scenic Mystic Lake. They can’t wait to spend time exploring the gorgeous landscape by day and camping under the stars at night. What they didn’t count on was sabotage!

First someone steals food and supplies from their packs. Then tour guide Caitlin vanishes overnight, and the entire group finds their tires slashed to bits. Now Nancy is cycling for clues instead of soaking up the scenery. Can Nancy track down the culprit before she and her friends are lost in the woods forever?

The Phantom of Nantucket

Nancy, Bess and George can't wait to start their trip to Nantucket. The three girls are there to visit Bess's family friend Jenna and go to the opening of an exhibit at the local whaling museum, that she has been working on for months. But when the girls get to the museum a threatening banner has replaced the welcome sign.

Nancy's got plenty of potential suspects, but she's worried she won't be able to solve the case in time to save the opening. When the threats start to get more serious though, she becomes more concerned about Jenna's safety than the ruined exhibit. Can Nancy find the culprit in time?